6/1/17

The
Tigers announced this past Friday that, if the team doesn’t get it’s shite
together by the end of June, ‘all veterans will be up for sale or deals’.

Hmm…

What
do we have here (stats as of 5-26)?

SP
Justin Verlander – $28mil/yr., 2018-19 – The
Tigers are the only team this guy has ever pitched for so it’s hard to believe
they would trade him off. Playing this year as a 34-year old. 2017 stats so
far: 10-starts, 4-3, 4.87, 1.41, 61-IP, 58-K. Signed a 5-year, $140mil
extension for the 2015-19 seasons. A true star of this game whose best years
are behind him.

1B
Miquel Cabrera - $30mil/yr., 2018-19-20-21-22-23
– Like Verlander, a true star of this game that not only has his best years
behind him but will have $180mil still owed to him after the 2017 season. Has
had a tough year this season, suffering from groin, back, and oblique injuries.

LF
Justin Upton – $22.125/yr., 2018-19-20-21 – Signed
a 6-year, $132.75mil contract with the Tigers. Playing 2017 as a 29-year old.
Has been a 25/80 for many years, but is basically a .250 hitter.

SP
Jordan Zimmerman - $24mil/2018, $25mil/2019-20 –
playing 2017 as a 31/year old – 9-starts, 4-3, 5.86, 1.54 – Zimmerman has never
had the kind of success he had in Washington after signing a 5-year, $110mil
free agency contract with the Tigers. Has had neck and groin issues in the
past.

DH
Victor Martinez – $18mil/2018 – Playing 2017 at
38 years old. Not a catcher anymore and reduced to a DH role. Basically no
future in the National League.

In
the event left-hander David Price falters this
year in his return from elbow problems, the playoff-contending Red Sox will be
forced to scour the trade market to bolster their rotation, observes Michael
Silverman of the Boston Herald

I
know I keep bringing this up, but wouldn’t this be a good time to consider
dealing off under-performing Matt Harvey for a couple of prime prospect?

Rafael Devers, 3B, Grade
A-: Age 20, signed for $1,500,000 out of Dominican Republic in 2013; hit
.282/.335/.444 with 32 doubles, 11 homers, 18 steals in 503 at-bats in High-A;
left-handed bat with 60-grade raw power and excellent bat speed, steadily
gaining command of the strike zone although not likely to be a walk machine;
doesn’t have Benintendi’s polish but has more pure power projection; despite
past doubts about his glove at third base, his defensive stats are strong with
improving reliability and above-average range; scouting reports are now
catching up with the defensive numbers and his reputation for defense is
improving; ETA 2019.

Bobby Dalbec, 3B, Grade
B-: Age 21, fourth round pick in 2016 from University of Arizona; hit stunning
.386/.427/.674 in 132 at-bats in New York-Penn League with nine walks, 33
strikeouts; 60-grade power at least, maybe more; also has strong throwing arm;
impatient hitter and seems unlikely to maintain that kind of batting average at
higher levels, though he did show more polish in pro ball than he did in
college; third base defensive profile but glove is raw at present; there is
star potential in this bat but we need to see how approach works at higher
levels before going with higher grade. ETA late 2019.

Marco Hernandez, INF, Grade
B-: Age 24, originally signed by Cubs out of Dominican Republic, traded to Red
Sox in 2014; hit .309/.343/.444 in 223 at-bats in Triple-A then .294/.357.373
in 51 major league at-bats spread over five separate recalls in ’16; has hit
very well for two years, with a .305/.330/.454 mark in Double-A/Triple-A in
’15; line drive hitter with doubles power can surprise with his pop; tools fit best at second base but workable at other
positions; projects as super-utility type with better-than-normal bat in the role;
doesn’t get as much attention as other Boston prospects but should not be
under-estimated. ETA 2017.

Kyle Martin, RHP, Grade
C+: Age 25, one of several arms ready for MLB bullpen trial; posted 3.38 ERA
with 78/21 K/BB in 67 innings in Triple-A; fastball 91-94 with peaks at 96;
excellent change-up is strikeout pitch even when hitters expect it; slider is
less impressive; can be solid middle relief arm if command holds. ETA 2017.

Los Angeles Angels -

Staying with the same theme, the loss of CF Mike Trout could cause the Angels to look for a
veteran fill-in until baseball’s best centerfielder returns in around two
months. This could open an opportunity for the Mets to deal off Curtis Granderson for an agreement where the Angels
would pay at least half of the remaining monies due to Grandy and the purchase
of one prospect from the Angels pipeline.

Some
names to mull over (research once again supplied by John Sickels
–

Taylor Ward, C, Grade
C+: Age 23, first round pick in 2015 from Fresno State; hit .249/.323/.337 with
10 homers, 48 walks, 81 strikeouts in 466 at-bats in High-A; effective against
runners (38% caught) and makes few errors but still vulnerable to passed balls;
has made progress with receiving but more is needed, though in the long run I
am confident in his glove; can take a walk but isolated power production was
disappointing especially for the Cal League; will get to majors due to defense
but role will depend on bat. ETA late 2018.

Keynan Middleton, RHP, Grade
C+: Age 23, third round pick in 2013 from Lane Community College; posted 3.41
ERA with 88/28 K/BB in 66 innings at High-A, Double-A, Triple-A; converted
starter worked well in relief, showing improve fastball up to 98-100 MPH and a
good (if erratic) slider; doesn’t use change-up much in pen and ready for a
trial. ETA 2017.

Grayson Long, RHP, Grade
C+: Age 22, third round pick in 2015 from Texas A&M; posted 3.18 ERA in 65
innings between Low-A, High-A, and rookie ball injury rehab with 70/25 K/BB, 54
hits; low-90s fastball with solid-average slider and change-up, command can be
inconsistent but he has stretches where he locates very well; stereotypical
number four/five starter but might be more dominant per-inning if moved to
bullpen. ETA 2019.

2
comments:

I earnestly hope Harvey starts to surge, so if he is in fact traded, he will garner bigger pieces from the Red Sox. I think right now we'd be selling low. Two weeks ago, he looked like a borderline SP5. Now a solid SP4. In two weeks, maybe he will look like an SP2.

Look at my Old man Hitting Tracker article later this morning - the way Grandy produced in May (very well), if we traded him now, he should result in a better deal - I'd say just about his entire contract. I'd like to see Cespedes back and healthy for a few weeks before really considering trading Grandy.